The Gospel in Every Arena
Group Leader Guide
Sermon Recap 🎬
In today's talk, Pastor John Mark emphasizes the importance of missions and sharing the gospel in every aspect of life, as illustrated by Paul's experience in Athens. He encourages understanding both what we believe and what the culture believes, highlighting the significance of being prepared to share our faith respectfully. Using examples from recent outreach efforts, the pastor connects numbers to real lives, illustrating that every action represents a person in need of hope and love. Ultimately, he urges the listener to engage with others about the resurrection of Jesus, knowing that some will accept, some will ponder, and some will reject the message.
Ice Breaker 🧊
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, but it couldn't be pizza or chocolate, what would it be?
Discussion Questions 💬
How does understanding what we believe help us share the gospel more effectively?
Pastor mentioned that sharing the gospel starts in our hearts, and we need to know what we believe to communicate it well.
Can you think of a time when knowing what you believe made it easier for you to talk about your faith with someone else?
Why is it important to know what culture believes when sharing the gospel?
Pastor emphasized that understanding the beliefs of others helps us connect our beliefs with theirs.
Have you ever noticed a difference in how people respond to your faith based on their cultural background? Share an example.
Based on 1 Peter 3:15, how can we prepare ourselves to share the reason for our hope in Christ respectfully?
Pastor referenced 1 Peter 3:15, highlighting the importance of sharing the Gospel with gentleness and respect.
What are some respectful ways you can engage in conversations about your faith with friends or family who may have different beliefs?
How did Paul use familiar ideas to communicate the Gospel in Athens, and what can we learn from that?
Pastor illustrated how Paul started with the familiar beliefs of the Athenians to bridge into sharing about Jesus.
What are some familiar situations or interests in your life that you could use to discuss faith with others?
What does the response of the people in Athens teach us about sharing the Gospel today?
Pastor pointed out that some people mocked Paul, others wanted to learn more, and some believed, reflecting different responses to the Gospel.
How can we prepare ourselves for different responses when we talk about our faith with others?
Prayer 🙏
• Ask God to help us recognize every opportunity to share the gospel in our daily lives.
• Pray for the courage to discuss our faith respectfully with others.
• Request guidance to understand and connect with different cultural beliefs around us.
• Ask God for a heart that loves sharing Jesus with both friends and strangers alike.
